Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and County Commissioner Michele Carringer have proposed the commission vote to rename a local dog park after Emma Walker, the 16-year-old Central High School student who was killed in November 2016.

If approved, the PetSafe Dog Park inside Fountain City's Tommy Schumpert Park would be renamed the PetSafe Emma Walker Memorial Dog Park. The commission meets Monday for its work session. It meets to vote May 29.

PetSafe owner, Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd, approved of the changes, according to the release.

“Emma was taken too soon and her death has left a significant mark in the community, and the outpouring of support for her family has been moving,” Burchett said in the release. “Emma was a dog lover and renaming this park is a great way to honor her life and legacy. I also want to thank Randy Boyd and PetSafe for allowing us to do this.”

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Central High School honors Emma Walker at graduation
Knoxville

Carringer said Walker had a heart for everyone and all animals that she came in contact with.

“When meeting Emma for the first time, I immediately recognized her sweet spirit, her energetic personality and her love for life and others,” she said in the release.